Elmo Peña, 80, beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, Tio, and friend passed away peacefully on Saturday January 1, 2022 in Grants, NM. Elmo was born July 2, 1941 in La Madera, New Mexico to Laborin Pena, Sr and Erminda (Gallegos) Peña. A celebration of life will be held at a later date when we may all gather safely.
After graduating high school, Elmo took a job with Bueno Foods as a delivery driver in New Mexico and Colorado. He then completed his training and worked as a “Hot Shot”, fighting wild fires throughout the western United States. In 1960 He began mining in Colorado. In 1962, along with is brothers and beloved Mother, relocated to Grants, New Mexico where he and his brothers took jobs as Uranium Miners. Elmo married Betty Lou Lucero in 1964, they were blessed with a son and two daughters. Elmo worked for Kerr-McGee as a Uranium Miner until 1980, when he took a job in Las Vegas, Nevada as a Nuclear Weapons Worker with The Nevada Test Site-where he remained until his retirement. He was a proud member of the Laborers Local 872 for over 20 years. Elmo was a lifelong Democrat who never missed an election. Elmo had a lifelong love of classic Chevy cars and trucks and enjoyed collecting and restoring them. He loved showing his collection and was a regular at the car shows. He enjoyed cheering for his Denver Broncos, deer hunting and trout fishing, and was a master gardener, and took up bowling after his retirement. He could be found every Sunday in worship services at Grace Baptist Church, and looked forward to spending time on his front porch with his dearest friends who stopped by daily. Elmo was truly a “morning person”, waking up happy every day. Elmo walked 3-5 miles daily, rain or shine and whistled from sun up to sun down and was gifted with a positive outlook and great sense of humor.
He is survived by his children: Patricia Peña (Eugene), Raymond Peña, Beverly Peña; brothers: Elizardo Peña, Irolamio Peña (Mary) of Milan; sister: Loyola Loomis of Albuquerque; grandchildren: Jason Whetten, Rachel Whetten (Casy), Steven Whetten, JeNae Knudsen (Spencer), Samantha Peña, Andrew Peña, Raymond Manzanares, Reina Peña; great-grandchildren: Jaden Whetten, MaKenna Whetten, Jack Whetten, Eliana Whetten, Draxtin Whetten, and Ava Manzanares.
He is preceded in death by his parents: Laborin Pena, Sr., and Erminda (Gallegos) Peña; brothers: Laborin Peña,Jr, Isaias Peña, Celestino Peña, Anselmo Peña, Prudencio Peña; sisters: Abranita Lucero, Adonelia Ortega, Clarita Montoya; sisters-in-law: Mabel Peña, Rebecca Peña.
Elmo will be interred at Trujillo Cemetery in La Madera, New Mexico. The Peña family has entrusted the Rivera Family Funeral Home of Espanola with the gentle care of their beloved.